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CHILI
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
CHILI
8.6
CHILI dresses Chinese cooking in a 1930s-inspired room, pairing dim sum and shareable plates with cocktails and a buzzy Midtown East crowd. It reads more like a modern supper club than a takeout joint, with polished service and dishes that lean bold and spicy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Har gao and pork dumplings in chili oil, Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), Three pepper chicken and spicy soft shell crab
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Cocktail-driven Chinese spot with dim sum, spicy plates, and theatrical decor.
Who should go: Dinwrs wanting Chinese flavors with cocktails and scene-y energy.
When to visit: Prime Friday and Saturday evenings for full bar buzz.
What to order: Har gao, pork dumplings in chili oil, three pepper chicken.
Insider tip: Order a mix of dim sum and larger plates and let the kitchen stagger courses.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; limited metered street parking and nearby paid garages within 1–2 blocks. Street parking is very difficult after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy — jeans are fine with a polished top, but many guests lean cocktail-night chic.
Noise level: Moderate to loud — energetic vibe, you can talk but expect some background buzz.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetable dim sum options, tofu dishes, and stir-fried greens.
Vegan options: Limited — a handful of vegetable-based dishes can be prepared vegan upon request.
Gluten-free options: Limited — naturally gluten-free rice and vegetable dishes available, but soy sauce is widely used.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the glamorous room, shareable plates, and cocktail program create an easy icebreaker with strong date-night energy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weeknights or early evenings, but weekends are competitive — reservations are strongly recommended for prime dinner hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young kids — the late-night energy, cocktails, and loud vibe skew adult-focused. Better for teens during earlier hours.
Best For
Better for: Stylish Chinese dining with cocktails, buzzy atmosphere, and plates designed for sharing on a night out.
Skip if: You want quiet dining, traditional regional Chinese cooking, or budget-friendly portions without the nightlife feel.
CHILI
8.7
CHILI is a Midtown East Szechuan restaurant and cocktail bar where numbing chiles and dim sum-style plates share space with classic wok dishes. The menu leans spicy and snackable, so baskets of dumplings, wontons, and cold plates work as either a full meal or a long happy hour spread.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork dumplings in chili oil, Dan dan noodles, Chongqing spicy chicken
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Szechuan-focused kitchen where dim sum plates pair with strong cocktails.
Who should go: Spice lovers looking for lively drinks-and-dumplings nights.
When to visit: Prime after-work hours for peak energy without late-night crowds.
What to order: Pork dumplings in chili oil, dan dan noodles, spicy chicken.
Insider tip: Build a shared table of dim sum and small plates instead of ordering solo entrees.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited in Midtown East and difficult after 6pm; nearby public garages typically run $25–$40 for evening parking.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy-casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean trendy after work.
Noise level: Lively and energetic — conversation is easy at the table but bar areas get loud during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak dinner and cocktail hours.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days, except during the 12:30–1:30pm rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable dumplings, tofu-based Szechuan dishes, and cold vegetable plates are available.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — several tofu, mushroom, and vegetable dishes can be ordered without animal products with minor adjustments.
Gluten-free options: Limited — rice-based dishes and some wok plates work, but soy sauce-heavy items dominate the menu, so careful ordering is required.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the cocktail energy, shareable plates, and upbeat atmosphere make it great for breaking the ice without feeling stiff or overly intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? During weekdays and earlier evenings, yes with a short wait; on busy weekend nights, reservations significantly improve your odds.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for adults — while kids are welcome earlier in the evening, the spice levels, cocktails, and loud energy make it more adult-oriented after dark.
Best For
Better for: Group-friendly ordering, bold Szechuan spice, and pairing dim sum-style plates with a real cocktail program.
Skip if: You want classic Cantonese dim sum carts, mild flavors, or a quiet family-style dining room experience.
CHILI
8.7
Chili reimagines Sichuan cooking with a polished Midtown room, cocktails, and plates built from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. It draws office crowds by day and date-night diners by evening for chile oil–slicked specialties and dramatic plating that nods to its fine-dining roots.
Must-Try Dishes:
Three Spice Chicken Lunch Special, Crispy Fried Mushrooms with Chili Oil, Mapo Tofu with Minced Pork
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Elevated Sichuan dishes executed with fine-dining technique and local sourcing.
Who should go: Spice lovers who want polished Sichuan and cocktails
When to visit: Prime-time dinners when the room is buzzy but manageable
What to order: Three spice chicken, fried mushrooms, mapo tofu
Insider tip: Book ahead and ask for a banquette table if you plan to share multiple plates.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive in the evening; nearby paid garages within 1–2 blocks are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—jeans are fine with a polished top or jacket.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—conversation is easy early evening, louder during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: No wait to 10 minutes most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetable-forward Sichuan dishes and tofu-based plates are available.
Vegan options: Limited but possible—select vegetable dishes and tofu preparations can be made vegan on request.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some proteins and vegetable dishes can be prepared gluten-free; soy sauce substitutions may be available.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—it's visually impressive, lively without feeling chaotic, and the shareable format creates easy conversation moments.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possibly at lunch or early on weeknights, but reservations are strongly recommended for prime dinner hours and weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for teens than young kids—the spice levels and cocktail-focused vibe make it more adult-oriented.
Best For
Better for: A more polished, cocktail-driven Sichuan experience with strong visual presentation and date-night energy.
Skip if: If you prefer ultra-traditional Sichuan cooking, lower prices, or a quiet, family-style dining room.